PREP NOTEBOOK: Phy finishes fourth at national tourney

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Mount Baker state champion wrestler Ashlee Phy finished fourth in the 146-pound bracket last month at National Girls Wrestling Championships began in Livonia, Mich.

Phy, who won two consecutive 145-pound state championships and helped the Mountaineers to the girls’ team title February in Tacoma, won two of four matches in the tournament. Both of her wins were by pin, and she also had two byes.

Katie Newgard, who finished second at the state tournament for Mount Baker at 130 pounds, also participated in the Michigan tournament in the 128- pound division. She lost both of her matches, but still ranks among the top 20 wrestlers at her weight in the country.

GIRLS’ WRESTLING CHANGES

The Washington Interscholastic Activities Association executive board voted at its March 26 meeting to amend the weight classes in girls’ wrestling.

The 145-pound class will be replaced by 140 pounds, and weight classes were added for 152 and 171 pounds. The new classes will go into effect in the 2008-09 season.

BASEBALL SITES CHANGED

According to the minutes of the WIAA executive board meeting, the Class 1A and 2A state baseball tournaments have been moved from Avista Stadium in Spokane to County Stadium in Yakima.

The move was made necessary by weather and funding

issues, resulting in delays in to the renovation of Avista Stadium.

SHEPHERD LEADS RAIDERS

Bellingham senior forward Nolan Shepherd has led the Red Raiders to a part of the top of the Northwest Conference.

Shepherd has 11 goals and three assists in conference matches, according to Bellingham coach Jared Fields, as the Red Raiders sit at 6-1 in league play and are tied with Mount Vernon and Ferndale for first place.

“Nolan is a very polished player who has that unique ability to settle down in front of the goal and put the ball in the back of the net,” Fields said. “He has a great understanding of what his role is and where he fits in with our style of play. As a team captain, he is excellent at setting the example for our younger players.”

SIEGFRIED IN COMMAND

Sehome junior Dane Siegfried continues to develop into one of the Mariners’ premier pitchers. Siegfried threw a two-hit shutout in a 6-inning win over Meridian last week. Out of his 51 pitches, 38 were strikes, according to Sehome coach Gary Hatch.

“He was in total command of his pitches, made great pitch selection and had tremendous location,” Hatch said.”This is his second shutout in a row (Siegfried beat a highly touted Mount Vernon Bulldog team last week, 1-0).”

HEAD PACES SEHOME

Sehome junior golfer Tate Head scored 30 Modified Stableford points last Wednesday

at the Whatcom County Championships, the best round of the Mariners’ players that day.

“Tate has improved from (her) sophomore year and is showing solid consistent play through the midway point of the season,” Sehome coach Don Helling said of Head, who placed 24th at the 2007 state tournament. “I’m especially impressed with the control and confidence that she is showing in the early matches.”

STEFFEN POPS 21-FOOTER

Bellingham sophomore long jumper Brock Steffen leaped 21 feet last week to win the event in a meet with Lynden Christian and Blaine. It’s the third-best long jump in Class 2A competition this season, according to Bellingham coach Bill McClement.

“Brock is a strong, fast athlete who is just beginning to understand his great track and field talent,” McClement said.

VAN BERKUM HITTING WELL

Nooksack Valley senior second baseman Chad Van Berkum was expected to provide one of the Pioneers’ most potent bats this season; so far, that’s been the case.

Van Berkum had a productive week last week, going 2 for 3 with a double against Lynden and 1 for 3 with a run and stolen base against Burlington- Edison.

“Chad is playing very well and has been a strong leader on and off the field for our team,” Pioneers coach Daniel Vander Kooi said.